U.S. patent application number 17/591245 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-15 for laminating device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ricoh Company, Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Joji AKIYAMA, Sho ASANO, Suzuka FUJITA, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Yohsuke HARAGUCHI, Shinya MONMA, Wataru NOZAKI, Yoshito SUZUKI, Wataru TAKAHASHI. Invention is credited to Joji AKIYAMA, Sho ASANO, Suzuka FUJITA, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Yohsuke HARAGUCHI, Shinya MONMA, Wataru NOZAKI, Yoshito SUZUKI, Wataru TAKAHASHI.
Application Number | 20220288910 17/591245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006184050 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220288910 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MONMA; Shinya ; et
al. |
September 15, 2022 |
LAMINATING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING
SYSTEM
Abstract
A laminating device inserts a sheet-shaped medium into a two-ply
sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and partially bonded, and
includes a loader, a fixing device, and control circuitry. The
loader loads the sheet-shaped medium or a cleaning sheet. The
fixing device laminates the two-ply sheet in which the sheet-shaped
medium is sandwiched between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet.
The control circuitry performs a cleaning mode of conveying a
plurality of cleaning sheets from the loader to clean the fixing
device. The cleaning mode is to convey a subsequent cleaning sheet
of the plurality of cleaning sheets at a position different from a
position of a preceding cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning
sheets in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the
plurality of cleaning sheets.
Inventors: |
MONMA; Shinya; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; FURUHASHI; Tomohiro; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
TAKAHASHI; Wataru; (Tokyo, JP) ; ASANO; Sho;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; SUZUKI; Yoshito; (Chiba, JP)
; AKIYAMA; Joji; (Kanagawa, JP) ; HARAGUCHI;
Yohsuke; (Kanagawa, JP) ; NOZAKI; Wataru;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; FUJITA; Suzuka; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MONMA; Shinya
FURUHASHI; Tomohiro
TAKAHASHI; Wataru
ASANO; Sho
SUZUKI; Yoshito
AKIYAMA; Joji
HARAGUCHI; Yohsuke
NOZAKI; Wataru
FUJITA; Suzuka |
Kanagawa
Kanagawa
Tokyo
Kanagawa
Chiba
Kanagawa
Kanagawa
Kanagawa
Kanagawa |
|
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000006184050 |
Appl. No.: |
17/591245 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2022 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 37/0053 20130101;
B32B 41/00 20130101; B65H 5/302 20130101; B32B 37/226 20130101;
B32B 2037/0069 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B32B 37/00 20060101
B32B037/00; B32B 41/00 20060101 B32B041/00; B32B 37/22 20060101
B32B037/22; B65H 5/30 20060101 B65H005/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 12, 2021 |
JP |
2021-040086 |
Claims
1. A laminating device configured to insert a sheet-shaped medium
into a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and partially
bonded, the laminating device comprising: a loader configured to
load the sheet-shaped medium or a cleaning sheet; a fixing device
configured to laminate the two-ply sheet in which the sheet-shaped
medium is sandwiched between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet;
and control circuitry configured to perform a cleaning mode of
conveying a plurality of cleaning sheets from the loader to clean
the fixing device, wherein the cleaning mode is configured to
convey a subsequent cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning
sheets at a position different from a position of a preceding
cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets in a direction
orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the plurality of cleaning
sheets.
2. The laminating device according to claim 1, wherein the
subsequent cleaning sheet is movable on the loader to the position
different from the position of the preceding sheet in the direction
orthogonal to the conveyance direction before conveyance of the
subsequent cleaning sheet.
3. The laminating device according to claim 2, wherein the
subsequent cleaning sheet is manually movable on the loader to the
position different from the position of the preceding sheet in the
direction orthogonal to the cleaning sheet conveyance direction
before the conveyance of the subsequent cleaning sheet.
4. The laminating device according to claim 1, further comprising a
roller configured to move the subsequent cleaning sheet to the
position different from the position of the preceding sheet in the
direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, in a conveyance
passage after the conveyance of the subsequent cleaning sheet.
5. The laminating device according to claim 1, wherein the loader
includes a mover configured to move the sheet-shaped medium or the
cleaning sheet in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance
direction, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause
the mover to automatically move the plurality of cleaning sheets
set on the loader to a different position in the direction
orthogonal to the conveyance direction.
6. The laminating device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning
mode is configured to convey the preceding cleaning sheet and the
subsequent cleaning sheet in a range of the fixing device, and
wherein the range is equal to or larger than a width of the two-ply
sheet in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction.
7. The laminating device according to claim 1, further comprising a
roller configured to feed the cleaning sheet from the loader,
wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the roller to
feed the cleaning sheet from the loader without a separating
operation of the two-ply sheet.
8. The laminating device according to claim 1, further comprising a
detector, wherein the loader is configured to load the two-ply
sheet, and wherein the detector is configured to detect which of
the two-ply sheet or one of the sheet-shaped medium and the
cleaning sheet is loaded on the loader.
9. The laminating device according to claim 1, further comprising a
detector disposed downstream from the loader in the conveyance
direction and configured to detect a leading end and a trailing end
of the two-ply sheet, the sheet-shaped medium, or the cleaning
sheet in the conveyance direction.
10. The laminating device according to claim 8, further comprising:
another detector configured to detect which of the two-ply sheet or
one of the sheet-shaped medium and the cleaning sheet is loaded on
the loader; and a separator configured to separate the two-ply
sheet, wherein the fixing device includes a heat pressing roller
disposed downstream from the separator in the conveyance direction
and configured to heat and press the two-ply sheet, and wherein the
detector and said another detector are located at positions
corresponding to end positions of the heat pressing roller and the
two-ply sheet in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance
direction.
11. An image forming apparatus comprising the laminating device
according to claim 1.
12. An image forming system comprising the laminating device
according to claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application is based on and claims priority
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application
No. 2021-040086, filed on Mar. 12, 2021, in the Japan Patent
Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a laminating
device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming
system.
Related Art
[0003] Lamination technologies have been proposed that insert an
inner sheet (e.g., paper or photo) between a two-ply sheet or
lamination film (e.g., a lamination pouch or lamination folder) and
apply heat and pressure to the two-ply sheet to bond the two-ply
sheet. The two-ply sheet is made of two sheets (plies) bonded
(sealed) on one side as if one sheet is folded.
SUMMARY
[0004] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is
provided a laminating device that inserts a sheet-shaped medium
into a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and partially
bonded, and includes a loader, a fixing device, and control
circuitry. The loader loads the sheet-shaped medium or a cleaning
sheet. The fixing device laminates the two-ply sheet in which the
sheet-shaped medium is sandwiched between the two sheets of the
two-ply sheet. The control circuitry performs a cleaning mode of
conveying a plurality of cleaning sheets from the loader to clean
the fixing device. The cleaning mode is to convey a subsequent
cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets at a position
different from a position of a preceding cleaning sheet of the
plurality of cleaning sheets in a direction orthogonal to a
conveyance direction of the plurality of cleaning sheets.
[0005] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is
provided an image forming apparatus that includes the laminating
device.
[0006] In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, there
is provided an image forming system that includes the laminating
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The aforementioned and other aspects, features, and
advantages of the present disclosure would be better understood by
reference to the following detailed description when considered in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a general
arrangement of a sheet processing device according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a view of a main part of the sheet processing
device of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device temporarily stopping sheet conveyance, subsequent to the
state in FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device conveying a lamination sheet, subsequent to the state in
FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device in a state subsequent to the state in FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device in which a winding roller rotates in reverse to wind the
lamination sheet around the winding roller, subsequent to the state
in FIG. 5;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device in which separation claws are inserted into a space between
two sheets of the lamination sheet, subsequent to the state in FIG.
6;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device in which the winding roller rotates in a forward direction
so as to move the space in the lamination sheet and the separation
claws to an end of the lamination sheet, subsequent to the state in
FIG. 7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device conveying the lamination sheet in reverse with ends of the
two sheets separated, subsequent to the state in FIG. 8;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device conveying an inner sheet toward the lamination sheet,
subsequent to the state in FIG. 9;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device in which the inner sheet is inserted into the lamination
sheet, subsequent to the state in FIG. 10;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device conveying the lamination sheet inserted in the inner sheet,
subsequent to the state in FIG. 11;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device in which the inner sheet is inserted into the lamination
sheet and a branching claw is switched to a non-fixing passage;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a view of the main part of the sheet processing
device conveying the lamination sheet inserted in the inner sheet
to the non-fixing passage, subsequent to the state in FIG. 13;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall
configuration of a laminating device including a sheet processing
device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a sheet feed tray on which
the inner sheets or cleaning sheets are loaded;
[0024] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a movement of
the cleaning sheet in a main scanning direction;
[0025] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a movement of
the cleaning sheet in a sub-scanning direction;
[0026] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating another movement
of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning direction;
[0027] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating another movement
of the cleaning sheet in the sub-scanning direction;
[0028] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall
configuration of a laminating device including a sheet processing
device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 22A is a schematic diagram illustrating a movement of
an exit roller pair in the main scanning direction;
[0030] FIG. 22B is a schematic diagram illustrating another
movement of the exit roller pair in the main scanning
direction;
[0031] FIG. 23A is a schematic diagram illustrating relative
positions of a heat pressing roller and the cleaning sheet in a
case in which the cleaning sheet is conveyed through the upper end
of the heat pressing roller;
[0032] FIG. 23B is a schematic diagram illustrating relative
positions of the heat pressing roller and the cleaning sheet in a
case in which the cleaning sheet is conveyed through the lower end
of the heat pressing roller;
[0033] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall
configuration of a laminating device including a sheet processing
device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating a general
arrangement of the sheet feed trays on which the inner sheets or
the lamination sheets are loaded;
[0035] FIG. 26 is a view of an image forming apparatus according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration
of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus, a
relay device, a sheet processing device, and a post-processing
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 28 (FIGS. 28A and 28B) is a flowchart illustrating a
series of operations (pre-conveyance position movement) of moving
the position of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning direction
before conveying the cleaning sheet by using the sheet feed tray in
the configuration illustrated in each of FIGS. 15, 26, and 27;
[0038] FIG. 29 (FIGS. 29A and 29B) is a flowchart illustrating a
series of operations (pre-conveyance position movement) of moving
the position of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning direction
before conveying the cleaning sheet by using the sheet feed tray in
the configuration illustrated in each of FIGS. 21 and 24;
[0039] FIG. 30 (FIGS. 30A and 30B) is a flowchart illustrating a
movement of the position of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning
direction by moving the exit roller pair in the main scanning
direction after feeding the cleaning sheet in the configuration
illustrated in each of FIGS. 15, 26, and 27, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0040] FIG. 31 (FIGS. 31A and 31B) is a flowchart illustrating a
movement of the position of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning
direction by moving the exit roller pair in the main scanning
direction after feeding the cleaning sheet in the configuration
illustrated in each of FIGS. 21 and 24, according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0041] The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments
of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit
the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be
considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings,
specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However,
the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be
limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be
understood that each specific element includes all technical
equivalents that operate in a similar manner and achieve similar
results.
[0043] Although the embodiments are described with technical
limitations with reference to the attached drawings, such
description is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure
and all of the components or elements described in the embodiments
of this disclosure are not necessarily indispensable.
[0044] Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present
disclosure are described below. In the drawings for explaining the
following embodiments, the same reference codes are allocated to
elements (members or components) having the same function or shape
and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.
[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a general
arrangement of a sheet processing device according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure. A sheet processing device 100 according
to the present embodiment separates two sheets (plies) of a two-ply
sheet (hereinafter referred to as a lamination sheet S) to insert
and sandwich a sheet-shaped medium (hereinafter referred to as an
inner sheet P) between the separated sheets of the lamination sheet
S.
[0046] The lamination sheet S is the two-ply sheet in which two
sheets are overlapped and bonded together at a portion (or a side)
of the two-ply sheet. For example, there is a two-ply sheet in
which a first side as a transparent sheet such as a transparent
polyester sheet and a second side facing the first side as a
transparent or opaque sheet are bonded at one side of the two-ply
sheet. Examples of the two-ply sheet also include a lamination
film.
[0047] The inner sheet P is an example of the sheet-shaped medium
that is inserted into the two-ply sheet. The sheet-shaped medium
may be, for example, thick paper, a postcard, an envelope, plain
paper, thin paper, coated paper, art paper, tracing paper, and an
overhead projector (OHP) transparency.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sheet processing device 100
includes a sheet feed tray 102 as a first loader on which the inner
sheets P are loaded, a pickup roller 105 that feeds the inner
sheets P one at a time from the sheet feed tray 102, a conveying
roller pair 107, and a sheet conveyance passage defined by some
inner components of the sheet processing device 100 to reverse the
inner sheet P. The sheet processing device 100 further includes a
sheet feed tray 103 as a second loader on which the lamination
sheets S are loaded, and a pickup roller 106 that feeds the
lamination sheets S one at a time from the sheet feed tray 103.
[0049] The sheet processing device 100 has a sheet feed passage and
a sheet conveyance passage that are different from each other. In
order to enhance productivity, the sheet processing device 100
conveys the lamination sheet S in the shortest distance through a
straight passage for conveying the lamination sheet S to be
separated. Since it is necessary for the inner sheet P to wait
until a separating operation of the lamination sheet S is
completed, the inner sheet P is fed in advance separately from the
lamination sheet S and stands by in the sheet conveyance passage
that allows the inner sheet P to be reversed and that ensures a
standby distance.
[0050] In order to reduce in size and enhance productivity, a
passage for lamination sheet conveyance from the pickup roller 106
to an entrance roller pair 108 is shorter than the passage for
inner sheet conveyance from the pickup roller 105 to the entrance
roller pair 108. The passages meet upstream from the entrance
roller pair 108.
[0051] The lamination sheet S into which the inner sheet P has been
inserted is ejected onto a sheet ejection tray 104 by an exit
roller pair 113 or a roller disposed downstream from the exit
roller pair 113. Thus, the lamination sheets S lie stacked on the
sheet ejection tray 104. The sheet conveyance passage to reverse
the inner sheet P allows the inner sheets P to be ejected and
stacked on the sheet ejection tray 104 in the order of the inner
sheets P stacked on the sheet feed tray 102.
[0052] A conveyance sensor C1 is disposed downstream from the
conveying roller pair 107 in a sheet conveyance direction to detect
a sheet conveyance position of the inner sheet P. A conveyance
sensor C2 is disposed downstream from the pickup roller 106 in the
sheet conveyance direction to detect the sheet conveyance position
of the lamination sheet S. Note that the sheet conveyance position
of the lamination sheet S is a position of the lamination sheet S
conveyed. Similarly, the sheet conveyance position of the inner
sheet P is a position of the inner sheet P conveyed.
[0053] The sheet processing device 100 includes the entrance roller
pair 108 as a first conveyor, a winding roller 109 as a rotator,
the exit roller pair 113 as a second conveyor, and the sheet
ejection tray 104. The entrance roller pair 108, the winding roller
109, the exit roller pair 113, and the sheet ejection tray 104 are
disposed downstream from the conveying roller pair 107 and the
pickup roller 106 in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet
processing device 100 further includes a separation claw 116
between the winding roller 109 and the exit roller pair 113. The
separation claw 116 is movable in a width direction of the
lamination sheet S. The separation claw 116 serves as a separator
that separates the lamination sheet S according to the present
embodiment.
[0054] A conveyance sensor C3 that detects the sheet conveyance
positions of the lamination sheet S and the inner sheet P is
disposed downstream from the entrance roller pair 108 in the sheet
conveyance direction. An abnormality detection sensor C4 that
detects the condition of the lamination sheet S is disposed
downstream from the winding roller 109 in the sheet conveyance
direction. A conveyance sensor C5 that detects the sheet conveyance
position of the lamination sheet S is disposed downstream from the
exit roller pair 113 in the sheet conveyance direction.
[0055] The pickup roller 105, the conveying roller pair 107, the
entrance roller pair 108, and the winding roller 109 are examples
of a first feeder. The pickup roller 106, the entrance roller pair
108, and the winding roller 109 are examples of a second
feeder.
[0056] An operation panel 10 is disposed on an exterior of the
sheet processing device 100. The operation panel 10 serves as a
display-operation device to display data of the sheet processing
device 100 and receives input of the operation of the sheet
processing device 100.
[0057] The operation panel 10 also serves as a notification device
to output a perceptual signal to a user. Note that, as an
alternative, a notification device other than the operation panel
10 may be separately disposed in the sheet processing device
100.
[0058] The sheet processing device 100 according to the present
embodiment loads the lamination sheets S and the inner sheets P on
separate trays. As the lamination sheet S is conveyed in the sheet
processing device 100, the sheet processing device 100 separates
and opens the lamination sheet S into two sheets and inserts the
inner sheet P into an opening of the lamination sheet S. The exit
roller pair 113 ejects the lamination sheet S, in which the inner
sheet P has been inserted, onto the sheet ejection tray 104. Thus,
the lamination sheets S lie stacked on the sheet ejection tray
104.
[0059] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a main part of the sheet
processing device of FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the
entrance roller pair 108 and the exit roller pair 113 is, for
example, two rollers paired with each other and driven to rotate by
a driver such as a motor. The entrance roller pair 108 rotates in
one direction. The exit roller pair 113 rotates in forward and
reverse directions, thereby nipping and conveying the lamination
sheet S and the inner sheet P together with the entrance roller
pair 108.
[0060] The entrance roller pair 108 conveys the lamination sheet S
and the inner sheet P toward the exit roller pair 113. The sheet
conveyance direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 2 is referred to
as a forward conveyance direction (i.e., a direction A).
[0061] On the other hand, the exit roller pair 113 is capable of
switching the direction of rotation between the forward direction
and the reverse direction. The exit roller pair 113 conveys the
lamination sheet S nipped by the rollers of the exit roller pair
113 toward the sheet ejection tray 104 (see FIG. 1) in the forward
conveyance direction and also conveys the lamination sheet S toward
the winding roller 109 in the direction opposite the forward
conveyance direction (to convey the lamination sheet S in reverse).
The sheet conveyance direction of the lamination sheet S toward the
winding roller 109 (i.e., the direction opposite the forward
conveyance direction) indicated by arrow B in FIG. 2 is hereinafter
referred to as a reverse conveyance direction (i.e., a direction
B).
[0062] The sheet processing device 100 is provided with the winding
roller 109 as a rotator and the separation claw 116 that are
disposed between the entrance roller pair 108 and the exit roller
pair 113. The winding roller 109 is driven by the driver such as
the motor to rotate in the forward and reverse directions. The
direction of rotation of the winding roller 109 is switchable
between the forward direction (i.e., clockwise direction) and the
reverse direction (i.e., counterclockwise direction).
[0063] The winding roller 109 includes a roller 111 and a gripper
110 movably disposed on the roller 111 to grip the lamination sheet
S. The gripper 110 that is movable grips a trailing end of the
lamination sheet S in the forward conveyance direction together
with the roller 111. The gripper 110 may be integrated with the
outer circumference of the roller 111 or may be a separate
component.
[0064] Next, a description is given of a series of operations
performed in the sheet processing device 100, with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 14. The series of operations performed in the sheet
processing device 100 indicates the operations from separating the
lamination sheet S to inserting the inner sheet P into the
lamination sheet S. Note that, in FIGS. 3 to 14, elements identical
to the elements illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given identical
reference numerals, and the detailed descriptions of these elements
are omitted.
[0065] In FIG. 1, the lamination sheets S are loaded on the sheet
feed tray 103 such that a part of the bonded side of the lamination
sheet S is located downstream from the pickup roller 106 in a sheet
feed direction (i.e., the sheet conveyance direction). In the sheet
processing device 100, the pickup roller 106 picks up the
lamination sheet S from the sheet feed tray 103 and conveys the
lamination sheet S toward the entrance roller pair 108.
[0066] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the entrance roller pair 108
conveys the lamination sheet S toward the winding roller 109. In
the sheet processing device 100, the entrance roller pair 108
conveys the lamination sheet S with the bonded end (i.e., a leading
end), which is one of four sides of the lamination sheet S, as a
downstream side in the forward conveyance direction (i.e., the
direction A) in FIG. 2.
[0067] Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a controller 500 of
the sheet processing device 100 temporarily stops conveyance of the
lamination sheet S when the trailing end of the lamination sheet S
in the forward conveyance direction has passed the winding roller
109. Note that these operations are performed by conveying the
lamination sheet S from the conveyance sensor C3 by a designated
amount in response to the conveyance sensor C3 detecting the
leading end of the lamination sheet S.
[0068] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 causes the gripper 110 to open and the
exit roller pair 113 to rotate in the reverse direction to convey
the lamination sheet S in the reverse conveyance direction (i.e.,
the direction B) toward an opening portion of the gripper 110.
[0069] Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the controller 500
of the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113
to stop rotating and conveyance of the lamination sheet S when the
trailing end of the lamination sheet S is inserted into the opening
portion of the gripper 110, and causes the gripper 110 to close and
grip the trailing end of the lamination sheet S. Note that these
operations are performed when the lamination sheet S is conveyed by
a designated amount.
[0070] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 causes the winding roller 109 to rotate
in the counterclockwise direction to wind the lamination sheet S
around the winding roller 109. The lamination sheet S is wound
around the winding roller 109 from a side (i.e., the trailing end)
where the two overlapping sheets of the lamination sheet S are not
bonded.
[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the lamination sheet S as a
two-ply sheet is wound around the winding roller 109, a winding
circumferential length difference is generated between the two
sheets in the amount of winding of the lamination sheet S around
the circumference of the winding roller 109. The winding
circumferential length difference causes a surplus of the inner
circumferential sheet closer to the center of the winding roller
109 than an outer circumferential sheet of the two-ply sheet, thus
loosing the inner circumferential sheet toward the bonded end. As a
result, a space is formed between the two sheets constructing the
two-ply sheet. As the separation claws 116 are inserted into the
space formed as described above, from opposed sides of the
lamination sheet S, the space between the two sheets is reliably
maintained. When the conveyance sensor C5 detects the leading end
of the lamination sheet S, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 receives a trigger signal from the conveyance
sensor C5. The controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100
causes the exit roller pair 113 to convey the lamination sheet S by
a designated amount from the conveyance sensor C5.
[0072] With the separation claws 116 inserted in the space in the
lamination sheet S (see FIG. 7), the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 causes the winding roller 109 to rotate in
the clockwise direction and shift the space formed in the
lamination sheet S to the trailing end of the lamination sheet S in
the forward conveyance direction (i.e., the direction A), as
illustrated in FIG. 8. After the winding roller 109 has been
rotated by a designated amount, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 causes the gripper 110 to open. As a result,
the lamination sheet S is separated into the upper and lower sheets
at the trailing end.
[0073] In this state, the controller 500 of the sheet processing
device 100 temporarily stops the conveyance of the lamination sheet
S and further moves the separation claws 116 in the width direction
of the lamination sheet S to separate the whole area of the
trailing end of the lamination sheet S. When the conveyance sensor
C5 detects the leading end of the lamination sheet S, the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 receives a
trigger signal from the conveyance sensor C5. The controller 500 of
the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to
convey the lamination sheet S by a designated amount from the
conveyance sensor C5.
[0074] In the state illustrated in FIG. 8, the controller 500 of
the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to
rotate counterclockwise and convey the lamination sheet S in the
reverse conveyance direction (i.e., the direction B) as illustrated
in FIG. 9. A branching claw 118 can be switched at the time when
the leading end of the lamination sheet S passes through the
conveyance sensor C5. When the lamination sheet S is conveyed to a
non-fixing passage, the branching claw 118 remains at the position
illustrated in FIG. 8. However, when the lamination sheet S is
conveyed to a fixing passage 128, the branching claw 118 is
switched in the direction toward the fixing passage 128 in FIG.
10.
[0075] The switching of the branching claw 118 may be completed in
a period of time from when the leading end of the lamination sheet
S passes through the conveyance sensor C5 to when the leading end
of the lamination sheet S reaches the branching claw 118 after
insertion of the inner sheet P. If the branching claw 118 is
switched before this timing, the lamination sheet S before
insertion of the inner sheet P enters the fixing passage 128 and a
part of the lamination sheet S is fixed. If the position of a
fixing unit is disposed further downstream in the sheet conveyance
direction in order to prevent such a failure, the size of the sheet
processing apparatus would be increased.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the separation claws 116 guide the
two separated sheets of the lamination sheet S in the upper and
lower directions and thus the two sheets are fully separated. Then,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the
exit roller pair 113 to stop the conveyance of the lamination sheet
S temporarily, so that the bonded portion of the lamination sheet S
is held (nipped) by the exit roller pair 113. Accordingly, one end
of the lamination sheet S is bonded as the bonded side of the
lamination sheet S and the other end of the lamination sheet S is
opened widely.
[0077] When the conveyance sensor C5 detects the leading end of the
lamination sheet S, the controller 500 of the sheet processing
device 100 receives a trigger signal from the conveyance sensor C5.
The controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the
exit roller pair 113 to convey the lamination sheet S by a
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C5.
[0078] FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate the operation of the sheet
processing device 100 when the lamination sheet S is conveyed to
the fixing passage 128 in case in which the user selects a laminate
processing mode on the operation panel 10. Next, as illustrated in
FIG. 10, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100
causes the entrance roller pair 108 to rotate and convey the inner
sheet P conveyed by the pickup roller 105 and the conveying roller
pair 107 from the sheet feed tray 102 (see FIG. 1) toward the exit
roller pair 113 in the forward conveyance direction (i.e., the
direction A).
[0079] Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the controller 500
of the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113
to rotate so that the lamination sheet S and the inner sheet P
meet, to insert the inner sheet P into the opening of the
lamination sheet S.
[0080] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to
convey the lamination sheet S in which the inner sheet P is
inserted in the forward conveyance direction (i.e., the direction
A). Thus, the two sheets of the lamination sheet S are overlapped
one on another again so as to close the opening of the lamination
sheet S. The lamination sheet S sandwiching the inner sheet P is
conveyed to the fixing unit including a heat pressing roller 120 by
the exit roller pair 113 or a roller disposed downstream from the
exit roller pair 113. Finally, the lamination sheet S is ejected
onto the sheet ejection tray 104 (see FIG. 1). Thus, the lamination
sheets S lie stacked on the sheet ejection tray 104. FIGS. 2 to 12
illustrate a basic operation to separate the two sheets of the
lamination sheet S and conveying the lamination sheet S to a fixing
device (i.e., the fixing unit) in a case of performing a laminate
processing.
[0081] As described above, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 according to the present embodiment causes
the separation claw 116 to open the lamination sheet S widely so
that the inner sheet P is inserted in and sandwiched between the
two sheets of the lamination sheet S. Since the configuration of
the sheet processing device 100 is simpler than the configuration
of a typical laminating device employing a vacuum device, the
entire sheet processing device has a simpler and smaller
configuration.
[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sheet processing device 100
according to the present embodiment loads the lamination sheets S
and the inner sheets P on separate trays and conveys the lamination
sheets S and the inner sheets P separately. Such a configuration
omits the need to load the lamination sheets S and the inner sheets
P in a predetermined order, the convenience of the sheet processing
device 100 is enhanced.
[0083] On the other hand, when the user selects an inner-sheet
insertion mode on the operation panel 10, the sheet processing
device 100 operates as illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 14. In FIGS. 2 to
9, the sheet processing device 100 operates in the same manner as
described above. However, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the branching
claw 118 remains unchanged to convey the inner sheet P to a
non-fixing passage 129.
[0084] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 14, in a state in which both
the lamination sheet S and the inner sheet P are gripped (nipped),
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the
exit roller pair 113 to convey the lamination sheet S and the inner
sheet P so that the inner sheet P is inserted into the two sheets
of the lamination sheet S. Subsequently, the lamination sheet S is
conveyed to the non-fixing passage 129 that does not have the heat
pressing rollers 120. The lamination sheet S is then ejected and
rests on a sheet ejection tray 126 (see FIG. 15) to complete the
sheet ejection. In this way, the user can obtain the lamination
sheet S in which the inner sheet P is inserted. The lamination
sheet S can be fixed on an offline machine.
[0085] In the sheet processing device 100 described above or a
laminating device 200 described later, the user can select a
cleaning mode using the operation panel 10 to convey a plurality of
cleaning sheets. At that time, a subsequent cleaning sheet can be
conveyed to a position different from a position of a preceding
cleaning sheet, which precedes the subsequent cleaning sheet, in a
direction orthogonal to a cleaning sheet conveying direction in
which the cleaning sheets are conveyed. A description is given of
the laminating device 200 below.
[0086] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall
configuration of a laminating device including a sheet processing
device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The
laminating device 200 includes the sheet processing device 100
described above. The laminating device 200 includes the separation
claws 116, the exit roller pair 113, and the branching claw 118.
The separation claws 116 are separators that separate the
lamination sheet S. The exit roller pair 113 disposed downstream
from the separation claws 116 is a conveyor that conveys the
lamination sheet S. The branching claw 118 is a switch that
switches the sheet conveyance passages of the lamination sheet S.
The controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the
branching claw 118 to switch the sheet conveyance passages of the
lamination sheet S between the fixing passage 128 on which fixing
is performed on the lamination sheet S and the non-fixing passage
129 on which fixing is not performed on the lamination sheet S (see
FIGS. 12 and 14). Accordingly, when the user selects the non-fixing
mode (i.e., inner-sheet insertion mode), the lamination sheet S can
be ejected without being fixed through the non-fixing passage 129
with the inner sheet P inserted in the lamination sheet S. Thus,
the insertion of the inner sheet P is performed by automation
without any trouble. The user can perform a laminating work on
another offline machine, thus allowing a parallel work and
enhancing the productivity of work.
[0087] The laminating device 200 includes an ejection roller pair
121, the sheet ejection tray 104, and the sheet ejection tray 126.
The ejection roller pair 121 is disposed downstream from the heat
pressing rollers 120 in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet
ejection tray 104 stacks the lamination sheets S conveyed through
the fixing passage 128. The sheet ejection tray 126 stacks the
lamination sheets S conveyed through the non-fixing passage 129 not
having the heat pressing rollers 120.
[0088] The laminating device 200 performs a series of operations,
in this order, of feeding the lamination sheet S, separating the
lamination sheet S, inserting the inner sheet P into the lamination
sheet S, and laminating the lamination sheet S with the inner sheet
P being inserted, by application of heat and pressure, on a
stand-alone basis. This series of operations can be performed
automatically without human intervention, and convenience can be
improved compared to the related art.
[0089] However, the laminate processing is an example of sheet
processing. The laminating device may be broadly referred to as a
sheet processing device.
[0090] Similar to the sheet processing device 100 described above,
in the laminating device 200, the lamination sheet S into which the
inner sheet P has been inserted is ejected onto the sheet ejection
tray 104 by the exit roller pair 113 or a roller disposed
downstream from the exit roller pair 113. Thus, the lamination
sheets S lie stacked on the sheet ejection tray 104. The sheet
conveyance passage to reverse the inner sheet P allows the inner
sheets P to be ejected and stacked on the sheet ejection tray 104
in the order of the inner sheets P stacked on the sheet feed tray
102.
[0091] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the sheet feed
tray 102 on which the inner sheets P or the cleaning sheets are
loaded.
[0092] Sheet end detection sensors C6 and C7 for detecting an end
of the inner sheet P are disposed on the back side of the sheet
feed tray 102 of the laminating device 200. An end of each of the
cleaning sheets loaded on the sheet feed tray 102 is detected by
the sheet end detection sensors C6 and C7. In the present
specification, unless otherwise specified, the "end" means the "end
in the main scanning direction" (i.e., lateral direction in FIG.
16). The sheet feed tray 102 is provided with side fences or
joggers 151 and 152 that are movable in the main scanning direction
to restrain the ends in the main scanning direction of the inner
sheet P. According to the present embodiment, the side fences or
the joggers 151 and 152 serve as movers for moving the inner sheet
P or the cleaning sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet
conveyance direction. Note that, since the inner sheet P has the
same size as the cleaning sheet, the description of the inner sheet
P also applies to the cleaning sheet, and vice versa. As the
detection sensor, an optical sensor such as a reflective sensor or
a transmissive sensor using a feeler may be used. Alternatively, an
image sensor such as a sheet end detection sensor C10 may be
used.
[0093] FIGS. 17 to 20 are schematic diagrams illustrating the
movement of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning direction.
First, a description is given of an embodiment in which a position
(i.e., a position in the main scanning direction) of the cleaning
sheet in the direction orthogonal to the cleaning sheet conveyance
direction is moved before the cleaning sheet is conveyed (fed)
using the sheet feed tray 102. Hereinafter, this movement is
appropriately referred to as a "pre-conveyance position movement."
In FIG. 17, the sheet end detection sensors C6 and C7 as detectors
are located according to the end positions in the direction
orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction of the heat pressing
roller 120 and the lamination sheet S, which are larger than A4
size (shorter side of A4) corresponding to the size of, e.g., the
inner sheet P. Accordingly, neither of the ends of the cleaning
sheet in A4 size (shorter side of A4) is detected by the sheet end
detection sensors C6 and C7. Therefore, in a case where neither of
the ends of the inner sheet P is detected, the controller 500 of
the laminating device 200 causes the side fences or the joggers 151
and 152 to move in the main scanning direction. In this example, in
order to detect the inner sheet P by the sheet end detection sensor
C6, the side fence or the jogger 152 is moved to the left in FIG.
17, and the inner sheet P is moved from the original broken line
position to the solid line position. The side fence or the jogger
151 in the main scanning direction may be moved automatically or
manually by the user.
[0094] In FIG. 18, after the jogger 152 of the sheet feed tray 102
of the laminating device 200 is moved to the left, when the left
end of the cleaning sheet is detected by the sheet end detection
sensor C6, the controller 500 of the laminating device 200 causes
the pickup roller 105 to start feeding the cleaning sheet from the
sheet feed tray 102. As illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 18, the
cleaning sheet is fed and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction
orthogonal to the main scanning direction.
[0095] Next, in FIG. 19, in order to convey the subsequent cleaning
sheet at a position different from the position of the preceding
cleaning sheet in the direction orthogonal to the cleaing sheet
conveyance direction, the jogger 151 is moved to the right in FIG.
19 until the right end of the cleaning sheet is detected by the
sheet end detection sensor C7. In order to detect the inner sheet P
by the sheet end detection sensor C7, the inner sheet P is moved
from the original broken line position to the solid line position.
The side fence or the jogger 151 in the main scanning direction may
be moved automatically or manually by the user.
[0096] In FIG. 20, after the side fence 151 of the sheet feed tray
102 of the laminating device 200 is moved to the right, when the
right end of the cleaning sheet is detected by the sheet end
detection sensor C7, the controller 500 of the laminating device
200 causes the pickup roller 105 to start feeding the cleaning
sheet from the sheet feed tray 102.
[0097] In this way, the plurality of cleaning sheets set on the
sheet feed tray 102 by the user is automatically or manually moved
to different positions in the direction orthogonal to the cleaning
sheet conveyance direction by the side fence or the jogger 151.
[0098] As described above, according to the laminating device 200
of the present embodiment, in the cleaning mode for cleaning the
heat pressing roller 120, a plurality of cleaning sheets as
cleaners that clean the heat pressing roller 120 is conveyed. A
subsequent cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets is
conveyed at a position different from a position of a preceding
cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets in the direction
orthogonal to the cleaning sheet conveyance direction. Such a
configuration omits the need, caused by the cleaning sheet (A4
size) smaller than the lamination sheet S, to repeat the work of
conveying one or more cleaning sheets for cleaning the heat
pressing roller 120 in a range equal to or larger than the width of
the lamination sheet S. Thus, the efforts and time taken for the
work are reduced.
[0099] According to the laminating device 200 in the present
embodiment, the subsequent cleaning sheet is moved to a position
different from the position of the preceding sheet in the direction
orthogonal to the cleaning sheet conveyance direction on the sheet
feed tray 102 before the subsequent cleaning sheet is conveyed.
Such a configuration eliminates the time and labors for moving the
subsequent cleaning sheet to a position different from the position
of the preceding cleaning sheet to clean the heat pressing roller
120 in a range equal to or larger than the width of the lamination
sheet S.
[0100] Further, the user may move the subsequent cleaning sheet to
a position different from the position of the preceding sheet in
the direction orthogonal to the cleaning sheet conveyance direction
before conveying the subsequent cleaning sheet. By moving the
cleaning sheet before conveyance, the user can clean the heat
pressing roller 120, with the cleaning sheets, in a range equal to
or larger than the width of the lamination sheet S.
[0101] Alternatively, the plurality of cleaning sheets set on the
sheet feed tray 102 by the user may be automatically moved to
different positions in the direction orthogonal to the cleaning
sheet conveyance direction by the side fence or the joggers 151 and
152. At the time of conveyance, in particular, the preceding
cleaning sheet and the subsequent cleaning sheet are conveyed to
the heat pressing roller 120 in a range equal to or larger than the
width of the lamination sheet S. Such a configuration allows the
user to simply set the cleaning sheets so that the heat pressing
roller 120 is automatically cleaned in a range equal to or larger
than the width of the lamination sheet S.
[0102] The cleaning sheet may be fed without the separating
operation of the lamination sheet S. Simply passing the cleaning
sheets through the heat pressing roller 120 shortens the cleaning
time.
[0103] In the laminating device 200 of the present embodiment, the
sheet feed tray 102 may load the lamination sheets S. The
controller 500 of the laminating device 200 causes the sheet end
detection sensors C6 and C7 as the detector to detect whether the
lamination sheets S or one of the inner sheets P and the cleaning
sheets is loaded on the sheet feed tray 102. As a result, the
lamination sheet S and the inner sheet P (or cleaning sheet) can be
discriminated, so that the sheet feed timing or sheet conveyance
timing of the lamination sheet S and the inner sheet (or cleaning
sheet) can be determined.
[0104] The laminating device 200 in the present embodiment includes
the conveyance sensor C1 as another detector for detecting the
leading end and the trailing end of the lamination sheet S, the
inner sheet P, or the cleaning sheet downstream from the sheet feed
tray 102 in the sheet conveyance direction (see FIG. 15). This
configuration allows a condition detection and conveyance timing of
the lamination sheet S and the inner sheet P to be determined, and
also allows the user to set the cleaning sheet without concern
about the length of the cleaning sheet in the sub-scanning
direction.
[0105] Next, a description is given of an embodiment in which the
position of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning direction is
moved by the exit roller pair 113 moved in the main scanning
direction after the cleaning sheet is fed.
[0106] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall
configuration of a laminating device including a sheet processing
device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the
present embodiment, first, a cleaning sheet is fed from the sheet
feed tray 102. After the cleaning sheet passes through the sheet
conveyance passage, a tilt correcting operation of the cleaning
sheet is performed with the exit roller pair 113. Specifically, the
leading end of the cleaning sheet is abutted against the exit
roller pair 113 so that the leading end of the cleaning sheet is
aligned with the nip line of the exit roller pair 113. Thus, the
tilt correcting operation of the cleaning sheet is performed. This
tilt correcting operation may be omitted in a case where the
above-described pre-conveyance position movement is performed.
[0107] FIG. 22A is a schematic diagram illustrating a movement of
the exit roller pair 113 in the main scanning direction. FIG. 22B
is a schematic diagram illustrating another movement of the exit
roller pair 113 in the main scanning direction. After the tilt
correcting operation of the cleaning sheet is performed in the
laminating device 200, the conveyance of the cleaning sheet is
restarted. After that, the controller 500 of the laminating device
200 causes the sheet end detection sensor C10 to detect the sheet
ends and calculate the correction amount in the main scanning
direction of the cleaning sheet. The controller 500 of the
laminating device 200 then causes the exit roller pair 113 to move
in the main scanning direction so as to change the position of the
cleaning sheet in the main scanning direction.
[0108] In FIG. 22A, the controller 500 of the laminating device 200
causes the exit roller pair 113 upward to move the cleaning sheet
from the original broken line position to the solid line position.
The upper end position indicated by the solid line is, for example,
located so that the cleaning sheet passes through one end of the
heat pressing roller 120. In FIG. 22B, the controller 500 of the
laminating device 200 causes the exit roller pair 113 downward to
move the cleaning sheet from the original broken line position to
the solid line position. The lower end position indicated by the
solid line is, for example, located so that the cleaning sheet
passes through the other end of the heat pressing roller 120. Note
that, when the cleaning sheet is moved in the main scanning
direction, the entrance roller pair 108 is separated from the
cleaning sheet so as not to interfere with the movement of the
cleaning sheet.
[0109] The above operation is repeated such that the subsequent
cleaning sheet is conveyed at a position different from the
position of the preceding sheet in the orthogonal to the cleaning
sheet conveyance direction. Note that, an image detection by the
image sensor is used to detect the sheet end by the sheet end
detection sensor C10. However, an optical sensor such as an
ultrasonic sensor or a distance measurement sensor that can
determine the distance from the cleaning sheet may be used as the
sheet end detection sensor C10.
[0110] FIGS. 23A and 23B are schematic diagrams illustrating
relative positions of the heat pressing roller 120 and the cleaning
sheet.
[0111] In the laminating device 200, since the lamination sheet S
is adhered by the heat pressing roller 120 under heat and pressure,
a glue sticking out of the lamination sheet S and a dust caught
together with the lamination sheet S adhere to the heat pressing
roller 120.
[0112] However, as described above, the cleaning sheet can be
conveyed to the heat pressing roller 120 in a range equal to or
larger than the width of the lamination sheet S (laminating film)
to remove stains and dust. In FIG. 23A, the cleaning sheet is
conveyed through the upper end of the heat pressing roller 120. The
position of the cleaning sheet in FIG. 23A corresponds to the solid
line position in FIG. 22A. In FIG. 23B, the cleaning sheet is
conveyed through the lower end of the heat pressing roller 120. The
position of the cleaning sheet in FIG. 23B corresponds to the solid
line position in FIG. 22B. Accordingly, a breakdown of the
laminating device 200 that may be caused by the lamination sheet S
caught by the stains and dust on the heat pressing roller 120 is
prevented.
[0113] According to the laminating device 200 in the present
embodiment, the subsequent cleaning sheet is moved to a position
different from the position of the preceding sheet in the direction
orthogonal to the cleaning sheet conveyance direction in the sheet
conveyance passage after being fed. Such a configuration eliminates
the time and labors for moving the subsequent cleaning sheet to a
position different from the position of the preceding cleaning
sheet to clean the heat pressing roller 120 in a range equal to or
larger than the width of the lamination sheet S.
[0114] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall
configuration the laminating device 200 including the sheet
processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. The laminating device 200 in the present embodiment
includes the sheet feed tray 102 as a first loader on which the
inner sheets P or the lamination sheets S are loaded, the pickup
roller 105 that feeds the inner sheet P or the lamination sheet S
from the sheet feed tray 102, the conveying roller pair 107, and
the sheet conveyance passage to reverse the inner sheet P or the
lamination sheet S. The laminating device 200 in the present
embodiment further includes, below the sheet feed tray 102, the
sheet feed tray 103 as a second loader on which the inner sheets P
or the lamination sheets S are loaded, a pickup roller 154 that
feeds the inner sheet P or the lamination sheet S from the sheet
feed tray 103, a conveying roller pair 155, and a sheet conveyance
passage defined by some inner components of the laminating device
200 to reverse the inner sheet P or the lamination sheet S. These
sheet conveyance passages meet upstream from the entrance roller
pair 108.
[0115] The sheet end detection sensors C6 and C7 for detecting an
end of the inner sheet P are disposed on the back side of the sheet
feed tray 102 of the laminating device 200. Sheet end detection
sensor C8 and C9 for detecting an end of the inner sheet P are
disposed on the back side of the sheet feed tray 103 of the
laminating device 200. FIG. 24 illustrates a state in which the
inner sheet P fed from the sheet feed tray 103 is conveyed and
sandwiched between the lamination sheet S fed from the sheet feed
tray 102.
[0116] FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating a general
arrangement of the sheet feed trays 102 and 103 on which the inner
sheets P or the lamination sheets S are loaded. In the laminating
device 200, since the inner sheet P needs to wait until the
separating operation of the lamination sheet S is completed, the
inner sheet P is fed in advance separately from the lamination
sheet S and stands by in the sheet conveyance passage that allows
the inner sheet P to be reversed and that ensures a standby
distance. The end in the main scanning direction of the inner sheet
P, the cleaning sheet, or the lamination sheet S is detected by the
sheet end detection sensors C6, C7, C8 and C9. Since the lamination
sheet S is a conveyed as an object having the maximum width
detected by the sheet end detection sensors C6, C7, C8, and C9, it
can be determined that the object to be conveyed is the inner sheet
P or the cleaning sheet other than the lamination sheet S in a case
where the sheet end detection sensors C6, C7, C8, and C9 detect no
end. As the detection sensor for detecting the end, an optical
sensor such as a reflective sensor or a transmissive sensor using a
feeler can be used. Alternatively, an image sensor may be used to
detect an image.
[0117] By using such a configuration, the user can set the
lamination sheet S or the inner sheet P on any sheet feed tray
without distinguishing a plurality of sheet feed trays. The
lamination sheet S in which the inner sheet P has been inserted is
ejected onto the sheet ejection tray 104 by the exit roller pair
113 or a roller disposed downstream from the exit roller pair 113
in order of the sheets stacked on the sheet feed trays 102 and 103.
Thus, the lamination sheets S lie stacked on the sheet ejection
tray 104.
[0118] FIG. 26 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An image
forming apparatus 300 includes the sheet processing device 100 or
the laminating device 200 on a side of the image forming apparatus
300. In the following description, parts having similar functions
to those of the parts of the above-described apparatus or device
are given the same reference numerals as the reference numerals
given to the identical or corresponding parts of the
above-described apparatus. Redundant description of these parts is
omitted as appropriate. The sheet processing device 100 or the
laminating device 200 includes the sheet feed tray 102 that stacks
the lamination sheets S. The inner sheet P can be fed from a relay
device 310 of the image forming apparatus 300. A desired image is
printed on the inner sheet P to be inserted into the lamination
sheet S by a method utilizing a copier or a printer of the image
forming apparatus 300. The inner sheet P is insertable in an
in-line manner.
[0119] In the sheet processing device 100, a plurality of sheet
size sensors C11 for detecting the size of the lamination sheet S
is disposed on the sheet feed tray 102. Conveying roller pairs 144
and 145 are disposed before and after the heat pressing roller 120
in the sheet conveyance direction.
[0120] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration
of an image forming system including the image forming apparatus
300, the relay device 310, the sheet processing device 100 (or the
laminating device 200), and a post-processing apparatus 400. The
image forming system according to the present embodiment can feed
the inner sheet P from the image forming apparatus 300 via the
relay device 310. With the post-processing apparatus 400, as a
post-processing apparatus other than the sheet processing device
100 (or the laminating device 200), disposed downstream from the
image forming apparatus 300, the user can use the image forming
system without reducing the efficiency of print jobs in which the
laminate processing is not performed.
[0121] In the case of a print job in which laminate processing is
not performed, the inner sheet P fed from the image forming
apparatus 300 is received by an entrance roller pair 146 of the
sheet processing device 100 and conveyed to the post-processing
apparatus 400 located downstream from the sheet processing device
100 by an ejection roller pair 147 located downstream from the
entrance roller pair 146 in the sheet conveyance direction. The
post-processing apparatus 400 can perform post-processing such as
staple processing on a sheet material N that has not been subjected
to laminate processing. The inner sheets P are stacked on a sheet
ejection tray 150 of the post-processing apparatus 400.
[0122] In the sheet processing device 100, a plurality of sheet
size sensors C11 for detecting the size of the lamination sheet S
is disposed on the sheet feed tray 102. Conveying roller pairs 144
and 145 are disposed before and after the heat pressing roller 120
in the sheet conveyance direction.
[0123] An embodiment described in relation to FIGS. 16 to 23B in
which a subsequent cleaning sheet of a plurality of cleaning sheets
is conveyed at a position different from a position of a preceding
cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets in the direction
orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the preceding cleaning
sheet can be implemented also in the configuration illustrated in
each of FIGS. 24 to 27.
[0124] Next, a description is given of a series of operations for
cleaning the entire roller with reference to the flowcharts
illustrated in FIGS. 28 to 31. The series of operations include
conveying a subsequent cleaning sheet of a plurality of cleaning
sheets from a position different from a position of a preceding
cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets in the direction
orthogonal to the cleaning sheet conveying direction to the end
portion of the heat pressing roller 120.
[0125] FIG. 28 (FIGS. 28A and 28B) is a flowchart illustrating a
series of operations (pre-conveyance position movement) of moving
the position of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning direction
before conveying the cleaning sheet by using the sheet feed tray
102 in the configuration illustrated in each of FIGS. 15, 26, and
27. When a cleaning operation is started, in step S11 of FIG. 28,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the
jogger 152 to start the moving operation of the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) (see FIG. 17). Then in step S12 of FIG. 28, the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 determines
whether the left end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
reached the sheet end detection sensor C6 based on the detection
result of the sheet end detection sensor C6. When the left end of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not reached the sheet end
detection sensor C6 (NO in step S12 of FIG. 28), step S12 of FIG.
28 is repeated until the left end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) reaches the sheet end detection sensor C6. By contrast, when
the left end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the
sheet end detection sensor C6 (YES in step S12 of FIG. 28), in step
S13 of FIG. 28, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device
100 causes the pickup roller 105 to start the feeding operation of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) (see FIGS. 18 and 20). Next, in
step S14 of FIG. 28, the controller 500 of the sheet processing
device 100 determines whether the leading end of the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C1 based on the
detection result of the conveyance sensor C1. When the leading end
of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not reached the
conveyance sensor C1 (NO in step S14 of FIG. 28), step S14 of FIG.
28 is repeated until the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C1. By contrast, when the
leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the
conveyance sensor C1 (YES in step S14 of FIG. 28), the process goes
on to step S15. In step S15 of FIG. 28, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a designated amount from the
conveyance sensor C1. When the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C1 (NO in step S15 of FIG. 28), step S15 of FIG. 28 is
repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) is conveyed by
the designated amount from the conveyance sensor C1. By contrast,
when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by the
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C3 (YES in step S15 of
FIG. 28), in step S16 of FIG. 28, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 causes the entrance roller pair 108 to start
conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet).
[0126] Next, in step S17 of FIG. 28, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the leading end of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance
sensor C3 based on the detection result of the conveyance sensor
C3. When the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not reached the conveyance sensor C3 (NO in step S17 of FIG. 28),
step S17 of FIG. 28 is repeated until the leading end of the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C3. By
contrast, when the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C3 (YES in step S17 of
FIG. 28), the process goes on to step S18. In step S18 of FIG. 28,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 determines
whether the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C3. When the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not been conveyed by the designated
amount from the conveyance sensor C3 (NO in step S18 of FIG. 28),
step S18 of FIG. 28 is repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) is conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C3. By contrast, when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance sensor
C3 (YES in step S18 of FIG. 28), in step S19 of FIG. 28 the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit
roller pair 113 to start conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet). Next, in step S20 of FIG. 28, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the leading end of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance
sensor C5 based on the detection result of the conveyance sensor
C5. When the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not reached the conveyance sensor C5 (NO in step S20 of FIG. 28),
step S20 of FIG. 28 is repeated until the leading end of the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C5. By
contrast, when the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C5 (YES in step S20 of
FIG. 28), the process goes on to step S21. In step S21 of FIG. 28,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 determines
whether the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C5. When the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not been conveyed by the designated
amount from the conveyance sensor C5 (NO in step S21 of FIG. 28),
step S21 of FIG. 28 is repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) is conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C5. By contrast, when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance sensor
C5 (YES in step S21 of FIG. 28), in step S22 of FIG. 28, the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the
branching claw 118 to switch the sheet conveyance passage to the
fixing passage 128. Then, in step S23 of FIG. 28, the controller
500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair
113 to convey the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) to the fixing unit
including the heat pressing roller 120. As a result, the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) cleans an area including one end of the
heat pressing roller 120.
[0127] In step S24 of FIG. 28, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 determines whether the cleaning operation has
reached a designated number of times. When the cleaning operation
has reached the designated number of times (YES in step S24 of FIG.
28), the cleaning operation ends. By contrast, when the cleaning
operation has not reached the designated number of times (NO in
step S24 of FIG. 28), in step S25 of FIG. 28, the controller 500 of
the sheet processing device 100 performs the next moving operation
of inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) (see FIG. 19). Next, in step S26
of FIG. 28, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100
determines whether the right end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C7 based on the detection
result of the sheet end detection sensor C7. When the right end of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not reached the sheet end
detection sensor C7 (NO in step S26 of FIG. 28), step S26 of FIG.
28 is repeated until the right end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) reaches the sheet end detection sensor C7. By contrast, when
the right end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the
sheet end detection sensor C7 (YES in step S26 of FIG. 28), the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 returns to the
operation flow indicated by [1] in FIG. 28 and repeats the
operations after step S13 until the cleaning operation is
completed. The inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) also cleans an area
including the other end of the heat pressing roller 120 by being
conveyed at the position detected by the sheet end detection sensor
C7.
[0128] FIG. 29 (FIGS. 29A and 29B) is a flowchart illustrating a
series of operations (pre-conveyance position movement) of moving
the position of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning direction
before conveying the cleaning sheet using the sheet feed tray 102
in the configuration illustrated in each of FIGS. 21 and 24. Since
substantially the same operations as the operations described above
are performed in a case of the sheet feed tray 103, the description
thereof is omitted. When the cleaning operation in started, in step
S31 in FIG. 29, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device
100 determines whether objects to be conveyed stacked on the sheet
feed tray 102 are the lamination sheets S or the inner sheets P
(cleaning sheets) (see FIG. 25). When the objects to be conveyed
are not the inner sheets P (cleaning sheet) (NO in step S32 in FIG.
29), the cleaning operation ends in step S33 in FIG. 29. By
contrast, when the objects to be conveyed are the inner sheets P
(cleaning sheets) (YES in step S32 in FIG. 29), in step S34 of FIG.
29, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 starts
the moving operation of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) (see
FIG. 17). Then in step S35 of FIG. 29, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the left end of the
inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the sheet end detection
sensor C6 based on the detection result of the sheet end detection
sensor C6. When the left end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet)
has not reached the sheet end detection sensor C6 (NO in step S35
of FIG. 29), step S35 of FIG. 29 is repeated until the left end of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) reaches the sheet end detection
sensor C6. By contrast, when the left end of the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has reached the sheet end detection sensor C6 (YES
in step S35 of FIG. 29), in step S36 of FIG. 29 (see FIGS. 18 and
20), the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 starts
the feeding operation of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet). Next,
in step S37 of FIG. 29, the controller 500 of the sheet processing
device 100 determines whether the leading end of the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C1 based on the
detection result of the conveyance sensor C1. When the leading end
of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not reached the
conveyance sensor C1 (NO in step S37 of FIG. 29), step S37 of FIG.
29 is repeated until the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C1. By contrast, when the
leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the
conveyance sensor C1 (YES in step S37 of FIG. 29), the process goes
on to step S38. In step S38 of FIG. 29, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a designated amount from the
conveyance sensor C1. When the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C1 (NO in step S38 of FIG. 29), step S38 of FIG. 29 is
repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) is conveyed by
the designated amount from the conveyance sensor C1. By contrast,
when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by the
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C1 (YES in step S38 of
FIG. 29), in step S39 of FIG. 29, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 causes the entrance roller pair 108 to start
conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet).
[0129] Next, in step S40 of FIG. 29, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the leading end of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance
sensor C3 based on the detection result of the conveyance sensor
C3. When the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not reached the conveyance sensor C3 (NO in step S40 of FIG. 29),
step S40 of FIG. 29 is repeated until the leading end of the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C3. By
contrast, when the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C3 (Yes in step S40 of
FIG. 29), the process goes on to step S41. In step S41 of FIG. 29,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 determines
whether the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C3. When the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not been conveyed by the designated
amount from the conveyance sensor C3 (NO in step S41 of FIG. 29),
step S41 of FIG. 29 is repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) is conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C3. By contrast, when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance sensor
C3 (YES in step S41 of FIG. 29), in step S42 of FIG. 29, the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit
roller pair 113 to start conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet). Next, in step S43 of FIG. 29, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the leading end of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance
sensor C5 based on the detection result of the conveyance sensor
C5. When the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not reached the conveyance sensor C5 (NO in step S43 of FIG. 29),
step S43 of FIG. 29 is repeated until the leading end of the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C5. By
contrast, when the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C5 (YES in step S43 of
FIG. 29), the process goes on to step S44. In step S44 of FIG. 29,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 determines
whether the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C5. When the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not been conveyed by the designated
amount from the conveyance sensor C5 (NO in step S44 of FIG. 29),
step S44 of FIG. 29 is repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) is conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C5. By contrast, when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance sensor
C5 (YES in step S44 of FIG. 29), in step S45 of FIG. 29, the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the
branching claw 118 to switch the sheet conveyance passage to the
fixing passage 128. Then, in step S46 of FIG. 29, the controller
500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair
113 to convey the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) to the fixing unit
including the heat pressing roller 120. As a result, the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) cleans an area including one end of the
heat pressing roller 120.
[0130] In step S47 of FIG. 29, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 determines whether the cleaning operation has
reached a designated number of times. When the cleaning operation
has reached the designated number of times (YES in step S47 of FIG.
29), the cleaning operation ends. By contrast, when the cleaning
operation has not reached the designated number of times (NO in
step S47 of FIG. 29), in step S48 of FIG. 29, the controller 500 of
the sheet processing device 100 performs the next moving operation
of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) (see FIG. 19). Next, in step
S49 of FIG. 29, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device
100 determines whether the right end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C7 based on the detection
result of the sheet end detection sensor C7. When the right end of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not reached the sheet end
detection sensor C7 (NO in step S49 of FIG. 29), step S49 of FIG.
29 is repeated until the right end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) reaches the sheet end detection sensor C7. By contrast, when
the right end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the
sheet end detection sensor C7 (YES in step S49 of FIG. 29), the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 returns to the
operation flow indicated by [2] in FIG. 29 and repeats the
operations after step S36 until the cleaning operation is
completed. The inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) also cleans the area
including the other end of the heat pressing roller 120 by being
conveyed at the position detected by the sheet end detection sensor
C7.
[0131] FIG. 30 (FIGS. 30A and 30B) is a flowchart illustrating a
movement of the position of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning
direction by moving the exit roller pair 113 in the main scanning
direction after feeding the cleaning sheet in the configuration
illustrated in each of FIGS. 15, 26, and 27. When a cleaning
operation is started, in step S51 of FIG. 30, the controller 500 of
the sheet processing device 100 causes the pickup roller 105 to
start the feeding operation of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet)
(see FIG. 15). Then in step S52 of FIG. 30, the controller 500 of
the sheet processing device 100 determines whether the leading end
of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance
sensor C1 based on the detection result of the conveyance sensor
C1. When the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not reached the conveyance sensor C1 (NO in step S52 of FIG. 30),
step S52 of FIG. 30 is repeated until the leading end of the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C1. By
contrast, when the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C1 (YES in step S52 of
FIG. 30), the process goes on to step S53. In step S53 of FIG. 30,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 determines
whether the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C1. When the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not been conveyed by the designated
amount from the conveyance sensor C1 (NO in step S53 of FIG. 30),
step S53 of FIG. 30 is repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) is conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C1. By contrast, when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance sensor
C1 (YES in step S53 of FIG. 30), in step S54 of FIG. 30, the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the
entrance roller pair 108 to start conveying the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet).
[0132] Next, when the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C3 (YES in step S55 of
FIG. 30), in step S57 in FIG. 30, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to perform
the tilt correcting operation. Next, in step S58 of FIG. 30, the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit
roller pair 113 to start conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet). Then in step S59 of FIG. 30, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the leading end of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance
sensor C5 based on the detection result of the conveyance sensor
C5. When the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not reached the conveyance sensor C5 (NO in step S59 of FIG. 30),
step S59 of FIG. 30 is repeated until the leading end of the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C5. By
contrast, when the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C5 (YES in step S59 of
FIG. 30), the process goes on to step S60. In step S60 of FIG. 30,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 determines
whether the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C5. When the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not been conveyed by the designated
amount from the conveyance sensor C5 (NO in step S60 of FIG. 30),
step S60 of FIG. 30 is repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) is conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C5. By contrast, when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance sensor
C5 (YES in step S60 of FIG. 30), in step S61 of FIG. 30, the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit
roller pair 113 to stop conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet). Next, in step S62 of FIG. 30, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 causes the sheet end detection sensor
C10 to detect a correction amount in the main scanning direction of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet). Next, in step S63 of FIG. 30,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the
exit roller pair 113 to move in the main scanning direction. Then
in step S64 of FIG. 30, the controller 500 of the sheet processing
device 100 determines whether the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet)
has been conveyed by a designated amount. When the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has not been conveyed by the designated amount,
step S64 of FIG. 30 is repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) is conveyed by the designated amount. By contrast, when the
inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by the designated
amount and adjusted the lateral registration (YES in step S64 of
FIG. 30), in step S65 of FIG. 30, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to stop
movement in the main scanning direction (see FIGS. 22A and
22B).
[0133] Next, in step S66 of FIG. 30, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to
start conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet). Then in step
S67 of FIG. 30, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device
100 determines whether the leading end of the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C5 based on the
detection result of the conveyance sensor C5. When the leading end
of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not reached the
conveyance sensor C5 (NO in step S67 of FIG. 30), step S67 of FIG.
30 is repeated until the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C5. By contrast, when the
leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the
conveyance sensor C5 (YES in step S67 of FIG. 30), the process goes
on to step S68. In step S68 of FIG. 30, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a designated amount from the
conveyance sensor C5. When the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C5 (NO in step S68 of FIG. 30), step S68 of FIG. 30 is
repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) is conveyed by
the designated amount from the conveyance sensor C5. By contrast,
when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by the
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C5 (YES in step S68 of
FIG. 30), the process goes on to step S69. Next, in step S69 of
FIG. 30, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100
causes the branching claw 118 to switch the sheet conveyance
passage to the fixing passage 128. Then, in step S70 of FIG. 30,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the
exit roller pair 113 to convey the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet)
to the fixing unit including the heat pressing roller 120. In step
S71 of FIG. 30, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device
100 determines whether the cleaning operation has reached a
designated number of times. When the cleaning operation has reached
the designated number of times (YES in step S71 of FIG. 30), the
cleaning operation ends. By contrast, when the cleaning operation
has not reached the designated number of times (NO in step S71 of
FIG. 30), the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100
returns to the operation flow indicated by [3] in FIG. 30 and
repeats the operations after step S51 until the cleaning operation
is completed.
[0134] FIG. 31 (FIGS. 31A and 31B) is a flowchart illustrating a
movement of the position of the cleaning sheet in the main scanning
direction by moving the exit roller pair 113 in the main scanning
direction after feeding the cleaning sheet in the configuration
illustrated in each of FIGS. 21 and 24. Since substantially the
same operations as the operations described above are performed in
a case of the sheet feed tray 103, the description thereof is
omitted. When the cleaning operation in started, in step S81 in
FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100
determines whether the objects to be conveyed stacked in the sheet
feed tray 102 are the lamination sheets S or the inner sheets P
(cleaning sheets) (see FIG. 25). When the objects to be conveyed
are not the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) (NO in step S82 in FIG.
31), the cleaning operation ends in step S83 in FIG. 31. By
contrast, when the objects to be conveyed are the inner sheets P
(cleaning sheets) (YES in step S82 in FIG. 31), in step S84 of FIG.
31, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 starts
the moving operation of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet). Next,
in step S85 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the sheet processing
device 100 determines whether the leading end of the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C1 based on the
detection result of the conveyance sensor C1. When the leading end
of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not reached the
conveyance sensor C1 (NO in step S85 of FIG. 31), step S85 of FIG.
31 is repeated until the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C1. By contrast, when the
leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the
conveyance sensor C1 (YES in step S85 of FIG. 31), the process goes
on to step S86. In step S86 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a designated amount from the
conveyance sensor C1. When the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C1 (NO in step S86 of FIG. 31), step S86 of FIG. 31 is
repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) is conveyed by
the designated amount from the conveyance sensor C1. By contrast,
when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by the
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C1 (YES in step S86 of
FIG. 31), in step S87 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 causes the entrance roller pair 108 to start
conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet).
[0135] Next, in step S88 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the leading end of
the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance
sensor C3 based on the detection result of the conveyance sensor
C3. When the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not reached the conveyance sensor C3 (NO in step S88 of FIG. 31),
step S88 of FIG. 31 is repeated until the leading end of the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C3. By
contrast, when the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C3 (YES in step S88 of
FIG. 31), the process goes on to step S89. In step S89 of FIG. 31,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 determines
whether the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C3. When the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not been conveyed by the designated
amount from the conveyance sensor C3 (NO in step S89 of FIG. 31),
step S89 of FIG. 31 is repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) is conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C3. By contrast, when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance sensor
C3 (YES in step S89 of FIG. 31), in step S90 in FIG. 31, the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit
roller pair 113 to perform the tilt correcting operation (see FIG.
21). Next, in step S91 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to start
conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet). Then in step S92 of
FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100
determines whether the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C5 based on the detection
result of the conveyance sensor C5. When the leading end of the
inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not reached the conveyance
sensor C5 (NO in step S92 of FIG. 31), step S92 of FIG. 31 is
repeated until the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C5. By contrast, when the
leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has reached the
conveyance sensor C5 (YES in step S92 of FIG. 31), the process goes
on to step S93. In step S93 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 determines whether the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a designated amount from the
conveyance sensor C5. When the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
not been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C5 (NO in step S93 of FIG. 31), step S93 of FIG. 31 is
repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) is conveyed by
the designated amount from the conveyance sensor C5. By contrast,
when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by the
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C5 (YES in step S93 of
FIG. 31), in step S94 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to stop
conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet). Next, in step S95 of
FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100
causes the sheet end detection sensor C10 to detect a correction
amount in the main scanning direction of the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet). Next, in step S96 of FIG. 31, the controller 500
of the sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113
to move in the main scanning direction. Then in step S97 of FIG.
31, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100
determines whether the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been
conveyed by a designated amount. When the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) has not been conveyed by the designated amount, step S97 of
FIG. 31 is repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) is
conveyed by the designated amount. By contrast, when the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by the designated amount
and adjusted the lateral registration (YES in step S97 of FIG. 31),
in step S98 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the sheet processing
device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to stop movement in the
main scanning direction (see FIGS. 22A and 22B).
[0136] Next, in step S99 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to
start conveying the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet). Then in step
S100 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the sheet processing device
100 determines whether the leading end of the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) has reached the conveyance sensor C5 based on the
detection result of the conveyance sensor C5. When the leading end
of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not reached the
conveyance sensor C5 (NO in step S100 of FIG. 31), step S100 of
FIG. 31 is repeated until the leading end of the inner sheet P
(cleaning sheet) reaches the conveyance sensor C5. By contrast,
when the leading end of the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
reached the conveyance sensor C5 (YES in step S100 of FIG. 31), the
process goes on to step S101. In step S101 of FIG. 31, the
controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 determines
whether the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has been conveyed by a
designated amount from the conveyance sensor C5. When the inner
sheet P (cleaning sheet) has not been conveyed by the designated
amount from the conveyance sensor C5 (NO in step S101 of FIG. 31),
step S101 of FIG. 31 is repeated until the inner sheet P (cleaning
sheet) is conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance
sensor C5. By contrast, when the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) has
been conveyed by the designated amount from the conveyance sensor
C5 (YES in step S101 of FIG. 31), the process goes on to step S102.
Next, in step S102 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the sheet
processing device 100 causes the branching claw 118 to switch the
sheet conveyance passage to the fixing passage 128 in step S102 of
FIG. 31. Then, in step S103 of FIG. 31, the controller 500 of the
sheet processing device 100 causes the exit roller pair 113 to
convey the inner sheet P (cleaning sheet) to the fixing unit
including the heat pressing roller 120. In step S104 of FIG. 31,
the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 determines
whether the cleaning operation has reached a designated number of
times. When the cleaning operation has reached the designated
number of times (YES in step S104 of FIG. 31), the cleaning
operation ends. By contrast, when the cleaning operation has not
reached the designated number of times (NO in step S104 of FIG.
31), the controller 500 of the sheet processing device 100 returns
to the operation flow indicated by [4] in FIG. 31 and repeats the
operations after step S81 until the cleaning operation is
completed.
[0137] As described above, according to the laminating device of
the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, a
subsequent cleaning sheet of a plurality of cleaning sheets is
conveyed at a position different from a position of a preceding
sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets in the direction
orthogonal to the cleaning sheet conveyance direction. As a result,
the time and efforts taken to clean the fixing unit are
reduced.
[0138] Numerous additional modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be
understood that, within the scope of the above teachings, the
present disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. With some embodiments having thus been described,
it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. For
example, embodiments and variations may be combined with each
other. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from
the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims, and all
such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of
the present disclosure and appended claims.
[0139] Any one of the above-described operations may be performed
in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the
one described above.
[0140] Each of the functions of the described embodiments may be
implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry.
Processing circuitry includes a programmed processor, as a
processor includes circuitry. A processing circuit also includes
devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array
(FPGA), and conventional circuit components arranged to perform the
recited functions.
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